DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-62,022

IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOLS
INCLUDING ONSITE LEASED WORKERS OF WORK-A-WHILE AND ADVANCE
SERVICES, INC.
DEWITT, NEBRASKA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 22, 2007, in
response to a petition filed by a State agency representative on
behalf of workers of Irwin Industrial Tools, Dewitt, Nebraska.
The workers are engaged in the production of VISE-GRIP locking
pliers and clamps.
The decline in employment at the subject firm is related to
a shift in production of VISE-GRIP locking pliers and clamps to
China. The company imports of these articles will likely
increase.
Irwin Industrial Tools, Dewitt, Nebraska also leased on-
site workers from Work-a-While and Advance Services, Inc.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China of articles that
are like or directly competitive with VISE-GRIP locking pliers
and clamps produced by the subject firm or subdivision, and
there has been or is likely to be an increase in imports of like
or directly competitive articles. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Irwin Industrial Tools, Dewitt, Nebraska,
including on-site leased workers from Work-a-While and
Advance Services, Inc., who became totally or partially
separated from employment on or after August 21, 2006,
through two years from the date of certification, are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also eligible to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 31st day of August, 2007

/s/ Linda G. Poole


______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance